Chopping with an axe up in a tree

rjdankert

rjdankert

Joined
Mar 10, 2011
Messages
2,657
Pruning before there were "gasoline cutters"

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Bob
 
I’ve actually done that, off a ladder. I prefer to saw though, and I always wonder if it’s safer to start the chainsaw on the ground and carry it up the ladder, or start it once I’m up.

Perhaps Wild Willie can give me some free advice (although I think he’s kind of a bucket truck guy for pruning).

IMH(amateur)O, those old boys could use a bow or buck saw. They could undercut and control the fall better, and complete the task in less tree time.

On the other hand, they appear to be getting it done.

That younger guy seems pretty cooperative.

Parker
 
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catspa said:
I’ve actually done that, off a ladder. I prefer to saw though, and I always wonder if it’s safer to start the chainsaw on the ground and carry it up the ladder, or start it once I’m up.

Perhaps Wild Willie can give me some free advice (although I think he’s kind of a bucket truck guy for pruning).

Parker
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Never climb with a running saw.
The saw hangs from a strap on your harness and it's only running when you are ready to cut. Then you shut it off and let it hang until you need it again.
 
When working from a ladder, remember that when the one piece drops the other will probably go up (which can impact ladder stability).
Make sure the ladder is on the correct side of your cut (duh); and that the falling one gets off clean to reduce the chance of it catching the ladder.

A safety line is a good idea because of ^ those things
 
I agree with all that, and tying my personal carcass off also.

I’m no professional arborist, my pruning is in private orchards on trees that usually haven’t been touched in a long time. It’s thick and bushy up in there.

Parker
 
catspa said:
I’ve actually done that, off a ladder. I prefer to saw though, and I always wonder if it’s safer to start the chainsaw on the ground and carry it up the ladder, or start it once I’m up.

Perhaps Wild Willie can give me some free advice (although I think he’s kind of a bucket truck guy for pruning).

IMH(amateur)O, those old boys could use a bow or buck saw. They could undercut and control the fall better, and complete the task in less tree time.

On the other hand, they appear to be getting it done.

That younger guy seems pretty cooperative.

Parker
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I definitely don't recommend ladders and tree work at all, unless it's being used to access a tree without leg irons. Of course using an orchard ladder for light work with a handsaw might be an exception.

I prune out of a saddle quite frequently, getting into the monsters is a bit arduous, but that's because I haven't invested in a SRT rig.
 
I've used ladders to reach branches (vs gaffing) because it's just easier. From there I tie the ladder to the tree & use a flip line if I'm trimming close; or set a line if I need to move out a ways.
I'm a professional; but in a different field, lol. My tree work is as needed - mostly for myself, only occasionally to help family or friends.
 
I hear the leading cause of injury for old men…

is them acting like they were still young men.

Typically some new owners buy an old homestead nearby, and a neighbor tells them to call me if they want to get into cidering. I go look their trees over, and we start discussing how to harvest the fruit 20+ feet up, and then come January I’m over there removing the top 1/3 or more of the tree.

In this maritime PNW climate, apple and pear trees want to grow more tree than is healthy for them and conducive to fruit production. I’ve been trying to fix that, one tree at a time.

Plus, fruit woods make some pretty knife and tool handles.

Parker
 
catspa said:
I hear the leading cause of injury for old men…

is them acting like they were still young men.

Typically some new owners buy an old homestead nearby, and a neighbor tells them to call me if they want to get into cidering. I go look their trees over, and we start discussing how to harvest the fruit 20+ feet up, and then come January I’m over there removing the top 1/3 or more of the tree.

In this maritime PNW climate, apple and pear trees want to grow more tree than is healthy for them and conducive to fruit production. I’ve been trying to fix that, one tree at a time.

Plus, fruit woods make some pretty knife and tool handles.

Parker
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You sure it isn't young guys trying to do what old guys do?
 
Heh. Try to find a young guy to do it, around here.

Seems like those that are willing to work, want to be paid more than the job’s got in it. To be fair, many of them are raising a family, and/or are saddled with a bigass mortgage or jacked-up truck payment or a high maintenance woman. But their real problem is, you line them up for next Monday and you have no idea if they’ll show up.

There aren’t many things a young man can do that are worth 300 bucks a day, but when I agree to pay it, I expect to be the most important feature of his Monday. Unrealistically as it turns out, because if his buddy says “let’s go fishing” or some job across the county line offers 301, I’ll have to start working at the agreed-on time by myself. And don’t even get me started on cell phones - leave it in your damn truck til lunchtime!

I can count on one hand the young men in my neighborhood that are worth a pocket full of fresh turds, workwise.

So if I’m not working alone, it’ll be with another old man. We’re doing young mens’ work, slowly and feebly, with our sore backs and aching shoulders. But by quitting time, by gawd, we got some shiite done.

Maybe the good ones are all off at college, seeing to it that they never have to climb down off a roof at dusk with aching shoulders, I dunno. But they’re not around here.

Parker
 
catspa said:
There aren’t many things a young man can do that are worth 300 bucks a day,
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When I merc out to other guys I get 500/day or at least 50 bucks an hour. A skilled climber is worth all of that.

I have a family, a small house and old vehicles. It's risky business no matter which way you slice it, and I won't risk my neck for less.

Edit to add: I'll provide a fully experienced crew and compliment of equipment at 250/hour or 2k a day.
 
If you lived here, I agree you’d be worth every dime. You’d bring your own gear, your knowledge and skill, you’d show up 10 minutes early, you’d probably have 6 turns rigged and on the ground by lunchtime. I (and my clients) don’t mind paying for good performance.

But a kid that shows up late in shorts and tennis shoes, without any tools (or even gloves), and whose skill set consists of texting his girlfriend every 15 minutes? He’s not worth 5 bucks an hour to me.

Apples and oranges.

Parker
 
catspa said:
If you lived here, I agree you’d be worth every dime. You’d bring your own gear, your knowledge and skill, you’d show up 10 minutes early, you’d probably have 6 turns rigged and on the ground by lunchtime. I (and my clients) don’t mind paying for good performance.

But a kid that shows up late in shorts and tennis shoes, without any tools (or even gloves), and whose skill set consists of texting his girlfriend every 15 minutes? He’s not worth 5 bucks an hour to me.

Apples and oranges.

Parker
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My apologies, unfortunately I'm one of those guys that gets lumped in with the younger demographic for the most part... Even with my greying hair and outdoor work "patina" (for the record I'm 35).

I'm half tempted after looking at all of this to try a limb removal with an axe, but it's gonna have to be on one of my scant yard trees. It bothers me enough when I have a branch collar tear on my own stuff, but when I'm getting paid I really get ticked. Not that most folks know or care, but I do, and that's what drive me nuts.
 
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